Cycling Doesn't Merit Criticism

Published: August 13, 2006

I laughed when I heard the news on NPR about Floyd Landis's second failed drug test because it was immediately followed by a story about Barry Bonds's slugging another one out of the park.

George Vecsey (''The Final Stage and the Last Straw,'' Aug. 6) slammed cycling, saying, ''Until further notice, this entire business is tainted.''

He should be referring to professional sports and not simply to cycling.

Cycling is one of the only sports that has serious, comprehensive drug testing, willing to pull a champion off the podium. Sportswriters and fans need to pull their heads out of the sand.

Professional sports are filled with drug-amped cheats. Cycling should be celebrated for taking a strong stand.

Michael Hartley
Newcastle, Me.

To the Sports Editor:

In response to Harvey Araton (''The Burden of Failure Puts Athletes at Risk,'' Aug. 7), no, cycling is not the dirtiest sport.

It is, instead, one of the only sports brave enough to confront cheating with an intrusive and comprehensive testing protocol.

As a cycling fan, it was incredibly depressing to have to write off Floyd Landis's seemingly masterful performance as the result of trickery. However, as a baseball fan it is even more disgusting to watch that game continue to actively perpetuate the frauds in its midst.

This year, cycling and the Tour de France have sent a clear message to young riders everywhere that the use of performance-enhancing drugs is not tolerated.

The best thing that could happen to the obsessive youths Mr. Araton describes would be for baseball, and indeed all other sports, to step up and do the same.